14
THE STOsBAT OHEtKXSTlAST, POBTX.A2sI KEBEtTABT 24. 1S95.
ACCHJEXTS.
A vision seen by Plato the divine:
Two shuddering souls come forward,
waiting-doom
From Rhadamanthus In the nether
Kloom.
One is a slave hunger has made him
pine:
One Is a Kins his arms and jewels shine.
Making strange splendor in the dismal
room. m .
"Hence!" cries the Judge, "and strip
them!
Let them, come
With naught 'to show if they be coarse
or line."
Of garb and body they are swift bereft;
Such is Hell's law nothing but soul Is
left.
The slave. In virtue glorious. Is held fit
For those blest Isles of peace where just
The king, by vice deformed, Is sent be
low To herd with base slaves in the wailing
pit. John Hay in the Century.
Cbfopicles of
Coilflt flptODIO
By Anthony Hope Author of "A Vrl
oner of Zcnda," Etc
(Copyright, 1S05. by Anthony Hope.)
CHAPTER V COUNT ANTONIO AND
THE SACRED BONES.
One tale there Is concerning Count An
tonio of Monte Velluto. when he dwelt an
outlaw in the hills which men tell with
fear and doubt, marveling at the audacity
of his act, and sometimes asking them
selves whether he would in very truth
have performed what he swore on the
faith of his honor he would do if he did
not attain what he demanded of the duke.
For the thing he threatened was such as
no man of Forniola dare think on without
a shudder, for we of Forniola prize and
reverence the bones of our saint, the holy
THE DUKE DACIXG UP AXD DOWX.'aXD
QXA WIXO HIS FIKGER-XAILS.
martyr, Prisian. above and far beyond
every other relic, and they are to us, as
it were, the sign and testimony of God's
enduring favor to our country. But much
will a man do for love of a woman, and
Antonio's temper brooked no obstacle; so
thtt none knew all the truth of the mat
ter. In the third year of Count Antonio's
qutowjey. his highness the duke looked
UiKn;the Lady Lucia, and he chose from
among his lords a certain gentleman of
groat ostate, by name Lorenzo, and sent
word to Lucia that she had spent too
much of her youth pining for what could
not be hers, and must forthwith receive
Loronao for her husband. But Lucia,
being by now a woman and no more a
timid girl, returned to his highness a mes
sage that she would look on no other man
than Antonio; on this the duke, greatly
incensed, sent and took her and set her
in a convent within the city walls, and
made her know that there she should
abide till her life's end, or until she should
obey his command; and he charged the
abbess to treat her harshly and to break
down her pride; and he swore that she
should wed Lorenzo, or. if she were ob
stinate, then she should take the vows of
a nun in the convent. Many weeks the
Lady Lucia abode In the convent, resisting
all that was urged upon her. But at last,
flndlng no help from Antonio, being sore
beset and allowed no rest, she broke one
day into passionate and pitiful weeping.
and bade the abbess tell his highness that,
since happiness was not for her in this
world, she would seek to find it in heaven,
and would take the vows, rendering all her
estate unto the duke's hand.
But when It came to the ears of Count
Antonio that the Lady Lucia was to take
the veil on the morrow of the feast of St.
Prisian his rage and affliction knew no
bounds.
"If need be," he cried, "I will attack the
city with all my men, before I will suffer
it."
Now Martolo was a devout man, and
had been much grieved when Antonio fell
under the sentence of excommunication;
yet he abode with him. And now be bowed
and said:
"My lord, in three days it is the feast of
St. Prisian. and the sacred bones will then
be carried from the shrine in the church of
the saint at Rllano to the city." For it
was at Rllano that Prisian had suffered,
and & rich church had been built on the
spot. When I dwelt with my father I was
accustomed to gq forth with all people of
my village and meet the sacred bones, and.
kneeling; receive the benediction from the
lord archbishop as he passed, bearing the
bones in their golden casket. And the like
would I do this year, my lord."
"Go in peace, Martolo, but see that you
are not taken by the duke's men," said
Count, Antonio.
Now when Martolo was gone Count An
tonio sat down on a great stone, and for a.
long while he said nothing to Tommaslno.
But certain words out of those which
Martolo had spoken were echoing through
his brain, for they came again and again
and again, and at last. looking up at
Tomataaiao. who stood by him, he said:
"TotttmaeinQ. who would lay hands on
the sacred bones?"
TMnnMurino Icoked down into his eye
and then fee laid a hand on his shoulder.
and Antonte still looked up and repeated:
Who would lay hands on the sacred
bowse?"
Tommaslno' s eyes grew round in wonder;
he smiled, but his smile was uneasy, and
he shifted his feet.
"la It that yeu think of Antonio?" he
asked in a low voice. "Beside it, it would
be a light thing to kill the duke in his
cwn palace."
Then Aatanto cried, striking his fist on
the palm of his hand: "Are dead bones
more sacred than that living soul, on
-Kbich the duke lays hands to force it to
hlwilt?"
"The people reverence the bones as God
himel" said Tetnmasino, troubled.
"I ateo reverence them," sold Antonio,
and felt again into thought. But present
ly he rose and took Tommasino's arm.
and for a long while they walked to and
fro. Then they went and sought out cer
tain choeen men of the band for the
greater part they da-ed not trust in such
a matter, but turned only to them that
weiv boldest atd recked least of sacred
thiso And to 10 of such Antonio opened
his toun-el. and by great rewards he pre
atlod on them to come into the pian,
alth icl they were, for all their boldness,
ver?. -n .u-ald lest they, laytae hands
en tiif Vm- should be smitten as was he
vb. h" ti- ark of the covenant.
Thpr f - - o f3i
"I .aIcec v .. luj hoc Js on the golden
, 4 vw&WM
L
casket; the rest of you shall but hold
me harmless while I take It."
Now when the feast of St. Frisian -was
come, the lord archbishop, who had rid
den from the city on the eve of the
feast, and had lodged In the house of
the priests who served the church, went
with all his train into the church, and,
the rest standing afar off and veiling
their eyes, took from the wall of the
church, near by the high altar, the gol
den casket that held the bones of the
blessed St. Frisian. And he wTapped the
casket in a rich cloth and held it high
before him In his two hands. And when
the people had worshiped, the archbishop
left the church and entered his chair and
passed through the village of Rllano, the
priests and attendants going first, and 12
of the duke's guard, whom the duke had
sent, following after. Great was the
throng of folk, come from all the country
round, to gaze upon the casket and on
the procession of the lord archbishop. A
party of peasants all, save one, tall and
powerful men, wearing peasants" garb and
having their faces overshadowed by large
hats, who knelt as the casket passed, but
they then arose and marched shoulder to
shoulder, behind the men of the duke's
guard, a peasant behind every plkcman.
At the bounds of the village the great
er part of the people ceased to follow
the procession of the sacred bones, and,
having received the archbishop's bless
ing, turned back to their own homes,
where they feasted and made merry.
When the procession had gone something
more than a mile from the village of
Rllano, it came where a little stream
crosses the highway; and the officer of
the guard bade six -of his men lay down
their pikes and go lift the archbishop's
chair over the ford, lest he should be
wetted by the water. And on hearing
this order, the tallest among the peasants
put his hand up to his hat and twisted
the feather of It between his thumb an'd
his forefinger, while every man of them
drew a great dagger from under his habit
and held it behind his back. Again the
tallest peasant twisted the feather in his
hat, and, without speech or cry, the peas
ants darted forward. Six of them seized
the pikes that lay on the ground, the re
maining six leaped like wildcats on the
backs of the pikemen. circling the necks
of the pikemen with their arms, pulling
them back and coming near to throttling
them, so that the pikemen, utterly amazed
and taken full at disadvantage, staggered
and fell backward, while the peasants
got on top of them and knelt on their
breasts and set the grfat daggers at their
hearts. While this passed on the road,
the remainder of Antonio's band for such
were the peasants rushed into the stream
and compelled the unarmed pikemen to
set down the archbishop's chair in the
midst, so that the water came in at the
windows of the chair, and the procession,
held at bay with their own pikes, sought
to draw their poniards, but Antonio cried,
"Slay any that draw!" And he came to
the chair and opened the door of it, and,
using as little force as he could, he laid
hands on the casket that held the sacred
bones and wrjsted it from the feeble hands
of the archbisnop. Then he and his men,
standing in line, stepped backwards with
the pikes leveled In front of them, till
they came out of the water and on to the
dry road again. Antonio, with the casket
in his hands, spoke in a loud voice: "I
thank God that no man Is dead over this
business, but if you resist you shall die,
one and all. Go to the city. Tell the
duke that I, Antonio di Monte Velluto,
have the bones of the blessed St. Prislin
and carry them with me to my hiding
place In the highest parts of the hills. But
if he will swear by these bones that I hold
and by his princely word, that he will not
suffertheLady Lucia to take the vows, nor'
will constrain her to wed any man, but
will restore her to her own house and to
her estate, then let him send the arch
bishop again and I will deliver up the
sacred bones. But if he will not swear,
then, as God lives, tomorrow at mid
night I will cause a great fire to be kindled
on the top of the hills a fire whose llame
you shall see from the walls of the city
and in that fire will I consume the sacred
bones, and I will scatter the ashes of them
to the four winds. Go and bear the mes
sage that I give you to the duke."
Now, after Antonio and his men were
gone, the archbishop's train stayed long
by the stream on the road, lamenting
and fearing to go forward. Yet at lasf
they went forward to the city, where they
came toward evening; and a great con
course of people awaited their coming
there, and the duke himself sat on a lofty
seat in the great square, prepared to re
ceive the sacred bones and go with them
to the cathedral, where they were to be
exposed to the gaze of the people at high
mass. And they set the archbishop's
chair down before the duke's seat.
Then the archbishop, his robes still damp
and greatly disordered, his limbs trembling
in anger and in fear, raised his voice, and
all the multitude in the square were silent
while he declared to his highness what
things Count Antonio had done and re
hearsed the message that he had sent.
And when the archbishop told how An
tonio had sworn that as God liveth he
would scatter the ashes of the shcred
bones to the winds, the men caught their
breath with a gasp and the women mur
mured attrightedly, "Christ save us," and
Duke Valentine dug the nails of his hand
whereon his head rested into the flesh
of his cheeks. For all the city held, that
according to the words of St. rrisian had
uttered before he suffered, the pow er and
prosperity of the duchy and the favor of
heaven to it rested in the presence
among them, and the faithful preserva
tion and veneration of those most holy
relics. And the archbishop, having ended
the message, cried. "God pardon my lips
that repeat such words," and fell on his
knees before Duke Valentine, crying,
"Justice on him, my lord, justice!" And
many In the throng echoed his cry; but
others, and among them many of appren
ticed lads, who loved Antonio, muttered
ley one to another: "But the duke has
taken the sweetheart from him," and they
looked on the duke with no favorable
looks.
Then Duke Valentine rose from his seat
and stood on the topmost step of It. and
he called sundry of Ms lords and officers
around him, and then he beckoned for
alienee and said:
mmm a H mammrn cai
AS! 0X10 CARRILS OFF THE CASKET OF SACRED BOXES.
"Before the sun sets tomorrow the Lady
Lucia shall take the vows," and he with
his train took their way, the pikemen
clearing a path for them to the palace.
And now, indeed, was silence, and all
marveled and were struck dumb that the
duke said naught concerning the bones
of St. Frisian, and they searched one an
other's faces for the meaning of his
words.
Surely never, from, that day until this
hour, has such a night passed in the
city of Forniola. For the duke sent or
ders for every man of his guard to be
ready to start at break of day in pur
suit of Antonio, and through the honrs
of the night they were busied in prepar
ing their provisions and accoutrements
And the townsmen gathered themselves
in groups in the great square, saying:
"Before the duke comes at him, the sa
cred bones will be burned, and what will
then befall the duchy?" And those who
were friendly to Antonio, foremost among
them being the apprenticed lads, spread
themselves here and there among the peo
ple, asking cunningly whether1- it con
cerned the people of Forniola more that
the blessing of St. Prisian should abide
with them or that a reluctant maiden
should be forced to take the veilf and
some grew bold to whisper under their
breath that the business was a foul one,
and that heaven did not send beauty and
love that priests should bury them In con
vent walls. And the girls of the city,
ever most bold by reason of their help
lessness, stirred up the young men who
courted them, leading them on and say
ing, "He is a true lover who risks his
soul for his love," or "I would I had one
who would steal the bones of St. Frisian
for my sake, but none such have I," with
other stirring and inflaming taunts, reck
lessly flung from pouting lips and from :
under eyes that challenged. And all the
while Duke Valentine sat alone in his
cabinet, listening to the tumult that
sounded with muffled din through the
walls of the palace.
Now, there was In the city a certain fur
rier named Peter, a turbulent fellow. This
man, loving naught that there was
worthy of love in Count Antonio, yet
loved him because be defied the duke, and
about midnight, having drunk much wine,
he carae into the square and gathered to
gether the apprentices. Then he ha
rangued them, and more came around;
and when at last Peter cried, "Give us
back the sacred bones," a thousand voices
answered him, "Aye, give us back the
bones!" And when the pikemen would
have seized him, men, and women also,
made a ring around him, so that he could
not be takjen. And sober men also, of age
and substance, hearkened to him, saying:
"He is a knave, but he speaks truth now."
So that a very great throng assembled,
every man having a staff, and many also
knives; and to those that had not knives
the women and girls brought them,
thrusting them into their hands; nay, sun
dry priests also were among the people,
moaning and wringing their hands, and
saying that the favor of St. Prisian would
be lost forever to the city. Presently the
whole mass began to move, like a great
wave of water, toward the palace of the
duke, where the pikemen stood in ranks,
ready now to go against Antonio. Peter
cried boldly: "Where is the duke?" But
the captain cf the guard came forward,
sword In hand, and bade Peter be still,
cursing him for insolence, and shouted
that the people should disperse on pain of
his highness' displeasure. "Where is the
duke? Let him come out to us!" cried
Peter, and the captain, despising him,
struck him lightly with the flat of his
sword. But Peter, with a cry of rage,
struck the captain a great blow with his
staff, and the captain staggered back,
blood flowing from his head. Such was
the beginnig of the fray, for in an instant
the pikemen and the people had joined
battle; men cried in anger and women in
fright; blood flowed and many on both
sides fell and rose no more.
Lorenzo then besought the duke, telling
him that all the city was in arms, and
that the conflict would be great. But the
duke still said: "She shall take the vows!"
Nevertheless, he went with Lorenzo, and
came forth on the topmost step of the
portico. And when the people saw him,
they ceased for a moment to assail the
pikemen, and cried out, "Give us back the
sacred bones!"
"Scatter these fellows!" said the duke
to the captain of the guard.
"My lord, they are too many. And if
we scatter them now, yet when we have
gone against Count Antonio they may do
what they will with the city."
Then Peter, the furrier, came forward,
and the hottest with him, and mocked
the pikemen, and one of the pikemen sud-
j denly thrust Peter through with his pike,
I and the fellow fell dead, on which a great
j cry of rage rose from all the people, and
J they rushed on the pikemen again and
siew anu were siain; juiu me ngnt ronea
up the steps, even to the very feet of the
duke himself. And at last, able no longer
to contend with all the city, he cried:
"Hold! I will restore the sacred
bones!" But the people would not
trust him, and one cried: "Bring
out the lady here before us and set
her free or we will burn the palace." And
the archbishop came suddenly and threw
himself on his knees before the duke, be
seeching him that no more blood might be
shed, but that the Lady Lucia should be
set free. And the duke, now greatly
afraid, sent hastily the lieutenant of the
guard and 10 men, who came to the con
vent where Lucia was, and, brooking no
delay, carried her with them in her bed
gown and brought and set her beside the
duke on the portico of the palace. And
the duke raised his hand to heaven and
before all the TMonlp h inij!- "RolinH
j she is free! Let her go to her own house
and her estate Is hers again. And by my
princely word and these same holy bones
I swear that she will not take the vows,
neither will I constrain her to wed any
man."
Now the people brought the Lady Lucia
to her own house, driving out the steward,
whom the duke had set there, and this
done, they came to the archbishop and
would not suffer him to rest nor" to de
lay one hour before he set forth to carry
the duke's promise to Antonio. This the
archbishop was ready to do, for all that
I he was wear-. But first he sent Lorenzo
to ask the duke's pleasure, and Lorenzo,
coming to the duke, prayed him to send
200 pikes with the archblsh'op. "For," said
he, "your highness has sworn nothing con
cerning what shall befall Antonio; and so
soon as he has delivered up the bones, I
will set upon him and bring him alive or
dead to your highness." But the duke
would not barken.
Lorenzo therefore got from the duke
leave for but 10 men to go with the arch
bishop, and to go himself If he would.
Yet had thfe Duke Valentine known what
passed on the hills while the city was In
tumult, it may not be doubted, for all his
vexation, that he would have sent the 200
whom Lorenzo asked; never had. he a fair
er chance to take Antonio. For when the
count and those who went with him to
Rllano were asleep, Antonio's head resting
on the golden casket, a shepherd came to
the rest of the band and told them what
had been done, and how all the country
was In an uproar. Then a debate arose
amongst the band, for though they were
lawless men, yet they feared God and
thought with great dread on what Antonio
had sworn, so that presently they came all
together, and roused Antonio, and said to
him:
"My lord, you have done much for us,
and it may be that we have done some
what for you. But we will not suffer the
sacred bones; to be burnt and scattered to
the winds."
"Except the duke yields I have sworn
It, as God lives," answered Antonio.
"We care "not. It shall not be no not
though you and we die;" saVi they.
"It is well: I hear,"sald Antonio, bow
ing his head.
"In an hour," said they, "we will take
the bones, if you will not yourselff my
lord, send them back."
"Again I hear," said Antonio, bowing
his head; and the band went back to the
fire round wfiich they had "been sitting, all
save Martolo", who came and put his hand
in -Antonio's hand.
Now, the rest of the band being gone
back to their fire, and the night being
very dark, in great silence and caution,
Antonio, Tommaslno, Martolo and their
fellows being 13 in all rose from their
places, and,- taking naught with them but
their swords (save that Antonio carried
the golden casket), they stole forth from
the camp , and set their faces to climb yet
higher into the heights of the hills. None
spoke; one following another, they
climbed the steep path that led up the
mountain side, and when they had been
going for the space of an hour they heard
a shout from far below them.
"Our flight is known," said Tommaslno.
At length they came to the place which
is now named "Antonio's Neck." There
the rocks came nigh to meeting and utterly
barring the path; yet there is a way that
one man, or at most two, may pass
through at one time. Along this narrow
tongue' they passed, and. coming to the
other side, found a level1 space on the edge
of a great precipice, and Antonio, point
ing over the precipice, they saw in the
light of the day, which now was dawning,
the towers and spires of Forniola very far
away in the plain below.
Then he charged Tommaslno and all of
them to .busy themselves in collecting
such dry 'sticks and brushwood as they
could, and there -was abundance near, for
the flr trees grew even so high. And one
of the men also went and set a snare, and
presently caught a wild goat, so that they
had meat. But Antonio himself look Bena
and set him on one side of the way where
ihe neck opened-out into level space, and
he stood on the other side of the way him
self. And when they stretched out their
arms the point of Berias sword reached
the hilt of Antonio's. And Antonio smiled,
saying to Bena: "He had need to be a
thin man, Bena, that passes between you
and me."
It was but three hours snort of noon
when they heard the voices of men from
the other side cf the ntck. And Antonio
cried straightway: "'-Come not through
at your peril. Yet one may come and
speak wlthm"."
Then a great fellow.' whose name is
variously given, though most of those
whom I have questilined call him San
cho, -came through tletteck. and, reach
ing the end ofit.lcfound' the crossed
swords of Antonio , and Bena like a
fence against his brast. And he saw
also the great pile cJywood, and resting
now on the top of ittKe golden casket
that held the sacreif bones. And he
said to Antonio:
"My lord, we love ycu; but, sooner than
that the bone3 should be burnt, we will
kill you and all that are with you."
And Antoni") answered: "I also love
you, Sancho; jet jou and all your com
pany shall die sooner than that my oath
shall be broken."
Then Sancho went , back through the
neck, and took counsel with his follow
ers, and they made him their chief, and
promised to be obedient to all that he
ordered. And he said: "Let two run at
their highest speed through the neck; it
may be well they will die. but the bones
must be saved. And after them two
more, and again two. And I will be of
the first two."
But they would not suffer him to be
of the first two, although he prevailed
that he should be of the last two. And
the six being chosen, drew their swords,
and with a cry rushed into the neck.
And Antonio, hearing their feet, said to
Bena:
"A quick blow Is as good as a slow,
Bena." And even as he spoke the first
two came to the opening of the neck.
But Antonio and Bena struck at them
before they came out of the narrowest
part or could wield their swords freely;
and the second two coming on, Bena
struck at one and wounded him in the
breast; and he wounded Bena in the
face over the right eye; and then Bena
slew him; while Antonio slew his man
at the first shove. And the fifth man
and Sancho, the sixth, coming on, An
tonio cried loudly:
"Are you mad? We could hold the
neck against a hundred."
But they would not stop, and Antonio
slew the fifth, and Bena was In the act
to strike at Sancho, but Antonio sud
denly dashed Sancho's sword from his
hand and caught him a mighty buffet,
so that he fell sprawling on the bodies of
the five men that were dead.
"Go back, fool; go back!" he cried.
And Sancho, answering nothing,
gathered himself up and went back, for
ho perceived now that not with the loss
of half of his men would he get by An
tonio and Bena, and beyond them stood
Tommaslno, with 10 whom he knew to
be of the stoutest of the band.
Then Sancho's company took counsel
again; fcr, much as they reverenced the
sacred bones,, there was none of them
eager to enter the neck. Thus they were
at a loss, till the shepherd who had come
along with them spoke to Sancho, say
ing: "At the cost of a long journey, you may
come at him, for there is a way round
that I can lead you by. But you will not
traverse in less than. 12 or 13 hours, taking
necessary rest by the way."
Therefore he left la men to hold the
neck, in case Antonio should offer to re
turn back through it, and f ith the rest he
followed the shepherd in great stealth and
quiet; by reason of which, and of the rock
between them, Antonio knew not what
was to be done, but thought that the
whole company lay still on the other side
of the neck. '
Thus the day wore to evening, as the
archbfshop with the Lord Lorenzo and the
guards came to the spur of the hills; and
here they found a man waiting, who cried
to them:
"Do you bring the duke's promise to the
Count Antonio?"
"Yes, we bring it," said they.
"I am charged." said he, "to lead the
archbishop and one other after the
count." But since the archbishop could
not climb the tills, being old and weary.
Lorenzo constrained the man to take with
him four of the guards besides, and the
four bore the archbishop along. Thus
they were led through the secret tracks
In the hills, and came at last to the en
trance of the neck. Here they found the
15, and Lorenzo, running.up. cried aloud:
"We bring the promise! We bring the
promise!"
But scarcely had he spoken these words
when a sudden great shout came from the
other side of the neck, and Lorenzo, draw
ing bis sword, rushed Into the neck, and
passed unhurt through the mouth of the
neck and the 15 followed after him. while
the guards supported the archbishop in
their hands, his chair beine too wide to
pass through the neck. And when they
all thus came through, wild and strange
was the sight they saw. For it chanced
that at the same time Sancho's company
had completed their circuit, and had burst
from behind upon Antonio and the 12. And
when the 12 saw them, they retreated to
the great pile and made a ring around it,
and stood there ready to die rather than
allow Sancho's men to reach the pile. And
It was then midnight, and the time of
Count Antonio's oath. And Count An
tonio stood on the top of the great pile; at
his feet lay the golden casket containing
the sacred bones, and in his hand was a
torch. And he cried aloud, "Hold them,
while I fire the pile!" and he leaped down
and came to the side of the pile and laid
his torch to the pile. And In an instant,
the flames shot up, for the pile was dry.
Now, when Sancho's men saw the pile
alight, with shouts of horror and of ter
ror they charged at the top of their speed
against the 12 that guarded the pile. And
Lorenzo and his men also rushed, but
the cries of Sancho's company, together
with the answering defiance of the" 12,
drowned the cries "Of Lorenzo; and An
tonio and the 12 knew not that Lorenzo
was come. And the flames of the pile
grew, and the highest tongue of flame
licked the side of the golden casket. But
Antonio's voice rose above all as he stood,
aye, almost in the ambit pi the fire, and
shouted:
"Hold them a moment, Tommaslno a
moment, Bena, and the thing is done!"
Then Lorenzo tore his casque from his
head and flung down his sword, and
rushed unarmed between Antonio's men
and Sancho's men, shouting louder than
he had ever thought" to shout: "The
promise! The promise!" And at the same
moment (so it Is told I but telUt as it is
told) there came from heaven a great
flash of lightning, which, aiding the light
of the flames, fully revealed the features
of Lorenzo. Back fell Sancho's -men, and
Antonio's arrested their swords. And
then they all cried, as men cry In great
joy: "The promise! The promise!" And
for a moment all stood still where they
w ere. And the flames leaped higher; and,
as Antonio had said, they were seen by
the great throng that gazed from the-city
walls, and they were seen, by Duke Val
entine as he watched from the wall of
the garden.
Then the Count Antonio leaped on the
burning pile, though it seemed that no
man could pass alive through It. Yet God
was with him, and he gained the top of
it, and, stooping, seized the golden casket
and flung it down clear of the pile, even
at Lord Lorenzo's feet; and when Lorenzo
sought to lift it the heat of it blistered his
hands and he cried out with pain. But
Count Antonio, choked by the smoke, his
hair and eyebrows scorched by the fire,
staggered half way down the pile and
then sank on hi3 knees. And there he had
died, but that Tommasino, Bena and San
cho, each eager to outstrip the other,
rushed in and drew him forth, and fetched
water and gave it to him, so that he
breathed again and lived.
But Lorenzo, having perceived that the
greater number were against Antonio,
cried out to Sancho's men: "Seize hirn and
bring him here!" But Sancho answered
him:
"Now that the sacred bones are safe,
we have no quarrel with my lord An
tonio," and he and his men went and laid
down their swords by the feet of Antonio,
where he lay on the ground, his head on
Tommasino's lap. So that the whole band
were now around Antonio, and Lorenzo
had but four with him.
But Count Antonio, raising himself,
said:
"Is the archbishop here?"
Then Lorenzo went and brought the
archbishop, who coming, stood before An
tonio, and lehearsed to him the oath that
Duke Valentine had taken,, aa toldhiml
how the Lady Lucia! was'already f fee'and
in her own house, and made him aware
also of "the great tumult that had hap
pened in the city. And Antonio listened
to his tale in silence. Then the arch
bishop raised a hand toward heaven, and
spoke in a solemn and' sad voice:
"Behold, there are 10 of the duke's guard
dead in the city, and there are 12 of the
townsmen dead; and here in the opening
of the neck there lied dead five men of
those who followed you, my lord. Twenty-and-seven
men are there that have died
over this business. I pray more have not
died In the city since I set forth. And for
what has this been done, my lord? And
more than, the death of all these is there.
For these sacred bones have been foully
and irreligiously stolen and carried away,
used with vile irreverence and brought into
imminent hazard of utter destruction; and
had they been destroyed and their ashes
scattered to the four winds, according to
your blasphemous oath, I know not what
would have befallen the country where
such an act was done. And for what has
this been done, my lord? It has been done
that a proud and violent man may have
his will and that his passion may be satis
fied. Heavy indeed Is the burden on your
soul, my lord; yes, on your soul is the
weight of sacrilege and of much blood."
The archbishop ceased and his hand
dropped to his side. The flames on the
pile were burning low, and a stillness fell
on all the company. But at last Count
Antonio rose to his feet and stood with his
elbow on Tommasino's shoulder, leaning
on Tommaslno. His face was weary and
sad, and he was very 'pale, save where In
one spot the flame had scorched his cheek
to an angry red. And looking round on the
archbishop, and on the Lord Lorenzo, and
dn them all, he answered sadly:
"In truth, my lord archbishop, my bur
den is heavy. For I am an outlaw, and
excommunicated. Twenty and seven men
have died through my act, and I have
used the sacred bones foully and brought
them into imminent peril of total destruc
tion according to my oath. All this is true
my lord. And yet I know not. For Al
mighty God, -whom all we, whether honest
men or robbers, men of law or lawless,
humbly worship, Almighty God has his
own scales, my lord. And I know not
which thing be in those scales the heavier
that twenty and seven men should die
and that the bones of the blessed St. Pris
ian should be brought in peril, aye, or
should be utterly destroyed or again that
one weak girl, who has no protection save
in the justice and pity of man, should be
denied justice and bereft of pity, and that
no man should hearken to her weeping.
Say, my lord, for it is yours to teach and
mine to learn, which of these things should
God count the greater sin? And for my
self I have asked nothing, and for my
friends here, whom I love aye even those
I have killed, for my oath's sake, I loved
I have dared to ask nothing. But I asked
only that justice should be done and mercy
regarded. Where, my lord, is the greater
sin?" .
But the archbishop answered not a
word to Count Antonio, but he and the
Lord Lorenzo came and lifted the golden
casket, and, no "man of Antonio's com
pany seeking to hinder them, they went
back with it to the city and showed it to
the people; and after that the people had
rejoiced greatly that the sacred bones
which they -had thought to be destroyed
were safe, the archbishop carried the gold
en casket back to the shrine in the village
of Rllano, where it rests till thisday
(To be continued.)
THE OXB.
The summer of our love is done.
The shining summer soft with flowera;
Past are our days of sky and sun.
Of golden light and August showers.
We drift in winter. All the day
Is palely silent; and the night
Forgets. . . . forgets. And our dead May
Lies buried in a shroud of white.
I love thee none the less, altho
The wintry gloom my true heart Alls;
I bend my patient thoughts unto
The spring, with all her daffodils.
Pall Mall Gazette.
TRAVBIJER'S GUIDE.
1 tall roa its.
FOR ALI. POIXTS EAST.
LUTE
BtraT FRTS MP I SI3. 1UK5TE
JTho Fast Mail, via
Huntington, Salt
Lake-Omaba orSan
sas City, or via Spo-
S:00A.I.
-uaMj , Knna. JilnneapoiM
Daily
I and St. Paut with
jthroush service to
(.Eastern cities.
I f lor Pend'eton. Lai
1 I Grande, Bakor City. Y
7:00 P.M. Walla WalH, Day-1
Daily "Uoa. Colfax. Puil-f
I I man. Moscow audi
1 Idaho mlninfpolnts. J
f Local Mixed Tralnl
S.-00 A M for Hood River. The
LcSuiaj . 1 "Dalies end intermo- (
' Idiats station. J
S:OOA.'L
Uaily
7:00 P.M.
tx.&utif
Through Pullman Sleepers. Tourist Sleepers
and Reclining - Chair Cars are attached to
through trains.
OCEAN AND RIVER SCHEDULES
Columbia River Kontc.
Two-boat dally service for Astoria and
way points.
T. J. Potter leaves Portland 7 A. M.,
except Sunday; leaves Astoria 7 P. M.,
except Sunday.
R, R. Thompson leaves Portland S P.
M., except Sunday; leaves Astoria 6:45 A.
M., except Sunday.
On Saturday nights the R. R. Thomp
son will leave Portland at 10 o'clock.
TVIllnmctte River Route.
Steamers Elmore and Modoc, for Oregon
City. Salem, Corvallls and way points,
Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sat
urdays at 6 A. M. Returning from Cor
vallis following day at 8:30 A. M.. lying
in Salem all night, leaving for Portland at
G A. M., Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays
and Saturdays.
Ynmhlll River Route.
Steamer Hoag, for Oregon City, Day
ton. McMlnnvllle and way stations. Mon
days, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7 A. M.;
returning the following days.
Snake River Route.
Leave Riparla 10:30 A. M. Mondays and
Fridays: leave Lewiston 8 A. M. Sun
days and Wednesdays.
OCEAN ROUTE.
Steamship Queen, for San Francisco, at
8 P. M., February 22. March 4, 14, 24.
Steamship Columbia, for San Francisco,
at S P. M.. February 27, March 9, 19, 29.
Steamships sail from San Francisco at
10 A. M., the day following departure from
Portland.
Ocean steamers sail from AInsworth
dock.
All river steamers depart from Ash
street dock.
For all Information, rates, etc., cali at
city office corner Washington and Third
streets,- or address
W. H. HURLBURT,
General Passenger Agent.
e. McNeill,
Receiver and General Manager.
Portland. Or.
TTorH's rie'drial Has.
THROUGH TICKETS
THROUGH TICKETS
TO THE
TO THE
EAST AND SOUTHEAST.
EAST AND SOUTHEAST.
VIA THE UNION PACIFIC SYSTEM.
VIA THE UNION PACIFIC SYSTEM.
Through ((Pullman Palace S!eepersTourlstSlecp-
era ana .tree .itecumng v.nair lui.
DAILY TO CHICAGO.
DAILY TO CHICAGO.
CITY TICKET OFFICE,
135 THIRD ST.. COR. ALDER. PORTLAND.
R. W. BAXTER. E. S. VAN KURAN.
Gen. Agent. oty Pass. & T. Agt.
ROGiC-BALLAST
TRAGK NO OUST
SHORT LINE EAST
The Great Northern owns and operates It3 en
tire equipment. Its Palace Sleeping Cars, at
tached to O. R & K. trains, leave. Portland
eery evening at 7 o'clock.
Direct routs to Spokane. Kootenai country,
Flathead Valley. Montana points. St. Paul.
Minneapolis, Chicago and East.
For tickets, printed matter and other infor
mation, apply to C. C Donavan. General Agent.
122 Third St.. Portland, or address F. I. Whit
ney. G. P. & T. A.. St. Paul. Minn.
Steamers.
OCEANIC STEAMSHIP COMPANY
Coolgardie Gold Fields (Freemantle), Australia.
$230. flrst-class; ?12o, steerage. Round thf
world. $010. 1st; $350, 2d. Lowest rates to Cape
Town. Steamship Mariposa sails, via Honolulu
and Auckland. 2 P. M., March 7; steamer
Australia. Honolulu only, March 12, 10 A. M.
Cook's parties to Honolulu, Feb. 1C, April 4: re
duced excursion rates. Ticket office, 134 First
st., Portland. Or. J. B. KIrkland. Ticket Agent.
J. D. Spreckels & Bros. Co.. General Agents,
13S Montgomery st.. San Francisco. Send fcr
Round the World folder.
KEELEY INSTITUTE
Fcr the Cure of Uquor and Opium Habits
The only Keeley Institute In Oregon.
Patients cared for on the premises.
Every convenience. Strict privacy. Cor
respondence solicited.
THE KEELEY IJYSTITCTE,
SALE3I, OREGON.
llmm
WUHtSSi!
Prom h . JmrnatofiUGicixie.l
Prof.W. II.Peeke,who makes a specialty of Epllepsjr,
has withont doubt treated acd cured more cues than
cny li-rins Physician ; his snece? 3 Is astonlahinj. Wa
hiTe heard of cases of 20ycars' standing cured by htm.
He pnblishesaTrlBable work en this disease which ho
sends with a la-e bottle of his absolnte cure, free to
any refferer who may send their P.O. cadExpress ad
dress. We adrisc anyone wishing a enre to address,
Aof. W, n. FEEKE, F. D., 4 Cedsr St., New York.
BREAKFAST SUPPER.
EPPS'S
GRATEFUL-COMFORTING.
COCOA
BOILING WATER OR MILK.
0. 1 1 1, t
pAcmcf
fP-'
29 S! lEMi!iii
THE PCLJHLTIFCL.
OREGONIAN BUILDING
fill - ';
Spill 188S& '
ilrl Pi IN '
DIRECTORY OF OCCUPAXTS.
.. ...- Rooms. '
ARISTOS SOCIAL CLUB 211, 212. 213. 214 .
ASSOCIATED PRESS. E. L. Powell. Man
ager soa
BARBER, DR. S. J.. Dentist 60S-609
EECKWITH. H.. Route Agent Paclnc Ex
press Company .............204
BELL. DR. J. F.. Physician and" Surgeon." N
711-713
BINSWANGER. DR. O. S.. Physlcaa and
Surgeon 4U-U2
BROWN BROS. CO., "Continental Nurser
ies" 612-C13-6M
BLANDFORD, a M.. U. S. "Weather Bu
reau .. 009
BUILDERS' EXCHANGE S00 ,
CATLIN. W. W., Receiver Oregon National"
Bank j 30500
CAUKIN. G. E.. District Agent Travelers'
Insurance Co....... 700
CARDWELL. DR. HERBERT W.. Physi
cian . 703
CARDWELL, DR. J. R.. Dentist.. .S03-09-819
CHAPPELL BROWNE. P.. Architect 70O
COLUMBIA TELEPHONE CO 600
CUMI.UNG. DR. WM.. Dentist . .403-403
DICKSON. DR. J. F., Physician 713-714
DRAKE. DR. H. B.. Physician...... 512-513-514 -i
ESTATE OF L. WHITE 40X t
EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCI
ETY. J. B. Wrangham. Cashier.. ..509-510-511
EVENING TELEGRAM 325 Alder St.
FENTON. DR. J. D.. Physician and Sur
geon 303
FENTON. DR. HICKS C. Physlcan and
KnrfTPo.n ta
FENTON & FENTON. DRS.. Surgeons.30S-319
FENTON. DR. MATTHEW F.. Dentist... .3302
FERRIS. DR. FRANK E.. Dentist.... ..311-312
GIESY. DR. A. J.. Physician 710
GIESY & CARDWELL. Drs., Physlclans...709
GODDARD. E. C. & CO.. footwear, ground
floor .. 129 Sixth st.
GRAVES. DR. J. L., Dentist SO4-S03
HELMBOLD. R. P.. Special Agent Manhat
tan Life 203
MACKAY. DR. A. E., Physician and Sur
geon ........ 704-703
MAXWELL. DR. W. E., Physician and Sur
geon ....701-702-703
MORRIS, E. C. Secretary and Manager
Brown Bros. Co ... GH
MOBSMAN. DR. E. P.. Dentist 512-513-5U
MANHATTAN LIFE ASSURANCE CO.. of
New York. S. E. Mulford, Manrjger.20S-209-210
McELROY. DR. J. a.. Physician and Sur
geon , 701-702-703
MclIILLAN. N.. Real Estate Loans 801
McGUIRE. H. D.. State Fish and Game Pro
tector 811
MILLER. DR. H. C. Dentist 403-403
MULFORD. S. E.. Manager Manhattan Life
.- 203-209-210
McFADEN. MISS IDA E.. Stenographer and
Typewriter 203
OREGON NATIONAL BANK. W. W. Cat-
lin. Rpcelver C.t ." 30.1f-30S r
TACIFICVBANKERroAND INVESTOR. Ok
Stagge, Editor '......S03
PAGUE & BLANDFORD. Attorneys - at -Law
7171 l
REED & MALCOLM. Opticians, ground floor ,
- 133 Sixth st.
RIGGS. DR. J. O., Dentist C03 "
ROBERTS. A. Merchant Tailor 131 Sixth st. .
REID. JR.. R- R., Special Agent Equitable
Life 511
SA1IUEL. L.. Special Agent Equitable Llfe.5U
STOLTE. CHARLES EDWARD 303
STUART. DELL. Attorney-at-Law..C10-617-818 ,
STUART & YOUNG. Attorneys-at-Law. . . . A
C1C-017-61S
STEVENSON. W. R., and HELMBOLD. R.
P.. State Agents Manhattan Life...20S-209-2tO
SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE 200
THE FAIRFAX-GREENE PIANO STUDIO '
203 .
TIMMS. MISS EDNA D.. Portrait Artist....802
TUCKER. DR. GEO. F., Dentjst.. 010-611
U. S. WEATHER BUREAU -.007-003-009
WILSON. DR. EDWARD N.. Physician and
Surgeon 304-303
WILSON. DR. HOLT C, Physician 507-503 e
WRANGHAM. J. B.. Cashier Equitable 509
WHITING. DR. S., Phjslcian and Surgeon
501-503
WOOD. DR. JAMES B., Physician and Sur
geon 312-313
WOOD. DR. W. L.. Physician 413-414
YOUNG. GEO. D.. Attornay-at-Law.610-017-018
A few more elesmnt ollicc may be
hail by applying to Portland Trust
Company, of Portlttnrt, Oreson. l-!
First street, or to the rene cleric la
thin iHilltlinsr.
33. S. 0. VZZT3 17SE7S AOT B3AHT T23A7U2K2
.w"& h a P f i
is sold under positive written guarantee, by '
authorised agents only, to euro Weak Memory;
Loss of Brain and Hcrvo Power: Lost Manhood;
Quickness: Night Losses; Evil Dreams; Lack of '
fionfidenca: Nervousness: Lhfieitudo: all Drains:
Loss of Power of tho Generative Organs In either j
sex, causea ny over-cxersion, lauiuiui ctrore, u.
Fceesiva TJee of Tobacco, Opinin or Liquor,
which leads to Misery. Consumption, Insanity
and Death. By mail, $1 a box; sir for $5;rith
written cnaranteo to euro or refund money.
Sample package, containing iivn days' treatment,
with fall instructions, 25 conta. Ono eample
only sold to each person by maiL
W ihdom Ornc Co.. Sole Agcnta. Port- "l
land. Oreson. "
ftft a rcftftJ!aftcr ftftft3Wrj
jj
TUBULES!
a
RetuUtethe 6tomach, liver and bowels
n-id purity ia blood.
i'.ipann 1 abates are th best medicine
known fjr indiresiion. blllou-nnss. be&J
ech". c3nstipat.on. dyspepsia, chronic liver
tronblos. iiizzuie-u. bai complexion. dy
entery, offeuiiv breatn. and all dtsordors
cf thesti ma:h. liver and bowels.
KipsDa TouIm contain nothing Injurious
to tn moil (lelicct constitution. Ara
plra:ant to tnke. laie, cfiectnal, and glr
lmn fdlate rvlisf
Price. SO; prr tox. Slay be ordered
thronn nearest rtru;lit. or by maiL
Hncll, Heushu A W-iodard Co.. Portland,
Or., gereral agent.
-K
tt
CURES QUICKER
THAN ANT OTHER HEM DT.
Tarrant's Extract of On
bebs and Copaiba ts a safe,
certain and quid: cure for
gonorrhoea and gWt. and
Is an old-tried remedy fcr
all diseases of the uriniry
organs. Combining in a
highly concentrated form
the medicinal virtues ot
cubab3 and copaiba, in
portable shape, freedom
from taste and speedy ac
tion (curing in less t.mo
than any other prepara
tion) make It the most val
uable known remedy. To
nrevent fraud, see that ev
ery package has a red strip across the face ot
lahoK with thp nitmature of Tarrant 4c Co.. ?J.
I Y., upon It. Price 51.00. Sold by all drusgists.